Bring me the nastiest colours known to humanity

So... torino10154 did this meme, and I asked her a reasonably crappy question, which she hasn't actually answered yet *ahem* (not that I can blame her), but still, it has earned me the right to take my place in the memeytime fun! Which is as follows:

The problem with LJ/IJ/DW: we all think we are so close, but really, we know nothing about each other. So ask me something you want to know about me. Something that should be obvious, but you have no idea about. Ask away. Then post this in your journal and find out what people don't know about you.

Now, the fact that it is half-term and I ought to be finding ever more interesting ways of entertaining Draco, Dougal and Hammond has absolutely nothing to do with my interest in taking on any and all memey distractions this week. Any contributions gratefully received.

So, tonight the BBC have invited BNP leader, Nick Griffin to sit on the panel in Question Time, which is causing controversy.

There are those who feel that such an extreme far-right view ought not be given a platform in this way, and others who think that, considering his party managed to gather enough votes to elect two MEPs at the last European elections, it is right that they should be represented alongside other political parties.

Personally, I think that it is unfair to expect freedom of speech to apply only to certain select groups, and I'm hoping desperately that tonight's programme will be of the giving the BNP enough rope... variety. However, I do question the timing of this; surely it would have been better to wait and see how the party respond to proceedings accusing their membership criteria as being unlawful first?

Debate: The Catholic Church is a force for good in the world

I tried to get tickets, but, unsurprisingly, they were sold out. Sounds like a very interesting evening (despite the slight element of Fish/Barrel.)

Still, I am out tonight... dressed in obligatory pervwear to see Rocky Horror at the theatre. I'm sure Father Ted would (secretly) approve!

Ludovic Kennedy has died, aged 89.
A man of talent, class and strong moral convictions, from the days when broadcasters weren't plastically-enhanced idiots paid to cry over people singing wet songs.

The world is a little poorer.

So I began to hunt old TV programmes we used to watch as children:

Jigsaw had Mr Noseybonk. Phallic imagery, anyone?

And then there was the lovely Vision On "I'm sorry but we can't return any of your paintings, but there is a prize for all those we show" In sign language.




Maybe I'll find and post more later. :/

Some technology:

An article about a new X-ray scanner that is undergoing trials at Manchester airport. Controversially, it allows the operatives to "see through travellers’ clothes, in effect rendering them naked."

Then there's this story about how people feel anxious when cut off from the internet. It claims that 85% of full-time mothers always have the internet on at home.

So, what do we reckon?

And, something just hilarious (with a side order of chilling) from the inimitable Betty Bowers:
Betty explains traditional marriage
Enjoy!

Has anybody (in the UK) been watching channel 4 recently? They seem to have outdone themselves in the commitment to making excellent programmes.

Aside from the series of my beloved Derren Brown (not at his very best, it has to be admitted) we also have a great "beginner's guide" to Darwin, his life and works, presented by Richard Dawkins. And, as if that isn't enough, the lovely Kevin McCloud is exploring the history of architecture in a unique, interesting, funny and sexy way in his series Grand Tour.

So, there we go. I'm trying to concentrate on the good things today. And not all the crappy things. Wish me luck.

(P.S: I'd be interested to know if those of you who are not in the UK can access the links to these programmes.)

ETA: Well, shit! You can't access them. That's another crappy thing on the list of crappy things. 2009, you're making no friends here, you know that?</b

I'm supposed to be tagging 8 others, but I seriously doubt there are that many on my flist who haven't yet done it. (Oo-er!) So, I dunno... Nim, Skitty, Neha, Cedar, Firefly... maybe you fancy it?

( The memey thing... )

... and everyone seems rather busy writing for fests.

So I decided that it would be a good idea to post something. I'm not clever enough at the moment to do another edition of my fave Room 101 so...

( Remember the music first lines quizzy? )

Need a bit o' music in yer life today?

Well then, try this 'ere shanty!

Arrrrrrrrr, me hearties!

It's that time o' year again, when you wenches an' salty seamen needs to get yer tounges around the r's and celebrate a life o' tossing on them thar waves!

Forget ye not to keep yer spyglass trained on that island of plenty, Pirate_Phest where, according to legend, all the booty be kept!

But, make no mistake, it be full o' treasure for this one day only... to celebrate the greatest festival o' the "heathen" calendar! No lubbers need be pressed.

So, what arrr ye waitin' for?

Thank You and Goodnight!

blpaintchart has left the fandom building.


Well, yes, the one-off day of lunacy on September the 19th being the exception that proves the rule!



That is all.

And now I have your attention...

Come and celebrate the international joy of Talk Like a Pirate Day with us!

Arrrr.

The fun happens on September the 19th, with a little bit of what you fancy: fic, art, drabbles, plasticine models, or the treasure of the Sierra Madre cunningly recreated using baked bean tins.

So, move closer... closer... yes, closer still... until you click this link to find out more about this fabulous, stress free slice of fandom booty!

You know you want to.
Matey.

*cue music*

"On the first day of Summer Holidays, some children gave to me...
... Swine Flu"

*end music*

So I am now in my own little world of quarantine for seven days.
Which would be rather nice if it weren't for the fact that I have to share it with Draco, Dougal & Hammond who have not (as yet) come down with the virus, and so are full of energy and "WELL WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TODAY THEN, MOTHER????"

You do what you bloody want, boys.  I'll be busy feeling awful. 
*oink*

...was well worth the wait!

You know how when you've been looking forward to seeing something for a really long time... something you absolutely adore... and you're getting really excited, but at the same time, you're a little bit nervous that it's not going to live up to your expectations, and you'll simply come away feeling a bit disappointed, possibly even disillusioned?

Well, I'm delighted to say that last night... that DIDN'T HAPPEN!

The thing is, I know this body of work so well, and love it so much that I can recite great chunks of it without thinking, and I'm so caught up in the wonder and emotion of it all that I began to think perhaps seeing it made flesh as it were would be a bit of a let down.

I needn't have worried!   The words, the atmosphere, the feelings, in fact the whole bloody shebang* was fabulous.
Nine Inch Nails are fucking brilliant indeed!

*excluding the guest appearance by Gary Numan, obviously.



So, flist...
... anyone see the HBP film yet?

Which shouldn't be much of a surprise, seeing as how the only things I like making in the kitchen are cakes.
( But this one is particularly colourful... )

My gift is up at hp_april_fools!!!!!

It's here for your visual pleasure and is, I think, unusual yet endearing.

So why not have a look, and leave some feedback for the mystery artist?

...I feel the need to spread the good news.

And, lo, the good news is this:
hp_april_fools is about to start posting!   You remember this comm: it's the one where we all try our hands at something we're not very good at.  And, no, for once, I'm not talking sex.  Apart from any NC-17 fanfic/ fanart.  Obviously.

If it's anything like last year, a good laugh will be had by all.  And more than just a little squeeing, too!

So, why not add hp_april_fools to your list of watched comms, before things kick off tomorrow?
You know you want to.

Today is the wonderful westernredcedar 's birthday. Hurrah!

And I have no brain to put on, so have nothing to offer her. Boo!
So instead, to celebrate, I thought we could go and gorge on a feast of her lovely lovely fic. Hurrah!

For starters, may I recommend going to Odeon, Leicester Square? There's a bittersweet Snupiny scene unfolding there.

Then, for main course, how about her epic 1979? Written for last year's LMOM, it's classic Cedar; plotty, angsty, and witty, and also a jog down memory lane for all of us who remember the year in question.

And, to end our delicious meal, why not treat yourself to a light, saucy but tasty Boggart in the Wardrobe ?

Go on, spoil yourself! And then wish her many happy returns. You know you want to! :)

&hearts HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DARLING CEDAR!!! &hearts